Thursday 31st of March is being celebrated around the world as the International Transgender Day of Visibility

“It’s a day for people to remember that there are trans people in their community and consider some of the challenges trans people experience in their lives,” says Rawa Karetai, Chairperson of Rainbow Wellington.

“Probably around one in eighty Kiwis are trans and many more are unsure about their gender identity. That’s going by the results of the University of Auckland’s nationwide survey of secondary schools.

“One of the main challenges that trans people face is healthcare. In 2006 the Human Rights Commission began an inquiry that found that trans people experience discrimination when they access health services. This discrimination affects their health and prevents them from finding the services they need.

“It’s ten years later and trans people are telling us that access to healthcare hasn’t improved, and if anything the situation has gone backwards.

“That is why today is so important. We need ordinary Kiwis to show that they really care about trans people. Only then will public agencies begin to sit up and take notice.

“So we are asking people to take five minutes out of your day to show that you care. It could be as simple as posting a message on social media with the hashtag #TransDayOfVisibility”

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